John 3

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, with standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice:  this my joy therefore is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease." (vs 29,30)

The strongest and most manly thing that John the Baptist did was not eat locusts and wild honey, wear camel skin, or live in the wilderness.  Rather, it was to humble himself before Jesus Christ and fulfill the role that God called him to.

While John's popularity rose and followers gathered, Jesus came on the scene.  All the attention was being diverted and John the Baptist was… thrilled. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Prov 20:6)  The writer of Hebrews calls to us "let us go forth to Him, outside the city, bearing His reproach.  For… we seek the city to come" (13:12)

Our World is one of preeminence and pride.  A man is made by his assertions and his power.  But not so in God's kingdom.  We belong to a group of men that know how to bow and be broken.  As we live a life pleasing to God the World will see, and attention will come.  We have to continually point all glory to Jesus: He must increase.  Let's commit again today to decrease.

Jason Ouellette